What Do You Eat With Latkes

Okay, let's talk about the real star of Hanukkah. It’s not the menorah, and it’s definitely not the gelt (sorry, chocolate coins). It’s the latke. But once you’ve fried that glorious, crispy potato pancake, you hit the big question: what do you eat with it? I mean, besides the entire batch in one sitting, obviously.

First, you need the audience. Sour cream is the classic, the MVP. It’s cool, it’s tangy, and it cuts through all that glorious oil like a dream. You ever notice how a dollop of sour cream makes you feel like a food critic? It’s true.

Then there’s applesauce. This is the sweet, innocent cousin. It’s like the latke went to a church picnic. Don’t sleep on it, though. A warm, slightly chunky applesauce is a revelation. You get the crunch, the salt, and that fruity sweetness all at once.

The Ultimate Showdown

Every family has a camp. Are you Team Sour Cream or Team Applesauce? And don't say "both." That's a cop-out. Picking one defines your personality. If you choose sour cream, you’re a pragmatist, a person who values balance and a little bit of drama.

If you choose applesauce, you’re a romantic, a nostalgic soul who believes in simple pleasures. Me? I’m a traitor. I use one latke as a spoon for the sour cream and another to scoop the applesauce. It’s chaos. It’s glorious. It’s my private latke party.

What To Eat With Latkes: 2026 Guide To Toppings & Sides - My Popular

But wait! There’s more to life than those two pillars. Have you ever tried salmon? A sliver of smoked lox on top of a latke is basically a New York City breakfast, but better. Add a tiny caper and a thin slice of red onion? You just invented a mini-bagel that’s made from potatoes. You’re a genius.

Go Global

Let’s get adventurous. Ever think about guacamole? Hear me out. The creamy avocado, the lime, the cilantro… it’s a weirdly perfect partner for a salty, oily latke. It’s like a Jewish-Mexican fusion that your bubbe might yell at you for, but she should try it first.

What about a fried egg? Put a sunny-side up egg right on top of a stack of latkes. Let that yolk run down like a golden river. Now you have a latke Benedict. You’re welcome for that one. You can thank me later when you’re in a food coma.

Latke Platter | Rachel Phipps

And if you want to be extra, try a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. This turns your latke into a dessert. It’s basically a giant, savory, fried latke cookie. Pair it with vanilla ice cream and tell me I’m wrong. You can’t.

The Condiment Confession

Let’s talk about the weird stuff. Appalachian-hot sauce? Yes, a little sriracha on the sour cream is magic. A dash of everything bagel seasoning on top? You just upgraded your latke to a five-star appetizer. It’s the little things that make your grandma suspicious.

I once saw a friend dip a latke in ketchup. Don't do that. Just… don’t. It’s like putting ketchup on a steak. It’s a crime against potatoes. We have standards, people. Ketchup goes on fries, and latkes are not fries, no matter what they look like.

13 Traditional Hanukkah Foods Everyone Should Try

So, what’s the final answer? Honestly, there isn’t one. The beauty of the latke is that it’s a blank, glorious, crispy canvas. You can eat it with sour cream and feel like a traditionalist. You can go wild with guacamole and feel like a rebel.

At the end of the day, the best thing you eat with a latke is another latke. That’s the rule. It’s the only rule. So go fry some up, grab your favorite topping, and don’t overthink it. Just enjoy the crunch, the grease, and the joy of a potato at peak performance.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a stack of these beauties and a gallon of sour cream. Pass the napkins. And the applesauce. Actually, pass everything.